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Dementia Friendly Environments

‘Supporting people who are living with dementia is one of the biggest challenges that our health and social care system will face in the 21st Century. There is rightly much emphasis placed upon how we deliver care, but the environment within which we deliver care, can also make an enormous difference to the quality of people’s lives. There is clear evidence to show that if you get the environment right, this has benefits not only for people who use care services, but also for their families, friends and staff.’

The use of colour and the layout of the buildings, can make an enormous improvement in people’s quality of life, and can reduce the impact of their dementia and help them live more independent lives. The correct colours, textures and layout of the buildings can help to reduce confusion, isolation, and anxiety, and help people live well with their dementia. This guidance has something to say to everybody who is developing a new dementia service, but it is also as relevant to those people who are currently providing care and who may want to look at how they ensure their maintenance and refurbishment programmes deliver the very best environment in which to support people and enable them to have a good quality of life. This is an important document for all health and social care providers, and it should be the foundation for all development and refurbishment decisions.’

Introduction to this important and useful report by:

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive, Care England DH: Independent Sector Dementia Champion